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7 Drugstore Beauty Products No Girl Should Ever Be Without

Ohhhh heyyyyy, two posts in one week? Who am I? Seriously, though, keeping up with a regular content schedule is a task and a half. Shout out to all you boss babes killing it with your consistent posting. Okay, okay, on to today’s topic! Today we’re gonna be chatting beauty! Specifically my absolute favourite drugstore beauty products that I use on a daily basis. I am so not one to spend loads at Sephora, but I love, love, LOVE my makeup, so yeah, you’ll likely find me wandering around the aisles of my local Shoppers Drug Mart (seriously, the ladies who work the beauty boutique know me at this point…#embarrassing). Oh well, my obsession has resulted in some free products, great recommendations, and real savings in my pocket. Let’s chat about drugstore beauty products that you all need to go pick up ASAP!

**If you’re not a blogger, you can skip this next paragraph, but for all my blogging babes out there, here’s a little food for thought before today’s post:

I have legit been wanting to write this article for MONTHS. I just wasn’t sure if people would actually care…This might go against the grain of what others say about content creation, but slowly I’ve realized I need to start writing about things I’m passionate about. I know everyone says your blog shouldn’t be about you, and you should be writing for your audience, but ‘ya know what? I’m positive there are fellow ladies out there who have similar passions as me. Undoubtedly there are those of you who want to learn, grow, and just generally improve your lives with a little sprinkle of fun on the side. Seriously, if I can write content on a variety of topics that all cater to that blogging mission of helping more people lead their best lives, then I know I’m on the right path. I’m just so much more concerned with creating really strong connections with fellow women who truly relate to my passions, rather than just establishing a following of people who come to my blog and then leave. ‘Ya know? Anyway, rant over, but if you’re a fellow blogger who has struggled with niches, is trying to decide what to blog about, or you feel similarity to me about writing content you’re passionate about, drop me a comment below so I know I’m not alone here! Every comment seriously makes my day.

Phew, okay, if you felt inclined to take that little detour with me, I’ve got hearts in my eyes for you, but now…officially onto today’s post!

Here are the seven drugstore beauty products that every boss babe absolutely needs in her makeup bag. Like, ASAP:

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase through one of my links, I make a small commission (at no extra cost to you, of course). Gotta make it clear, though: I legit use these products on a daily basis, and completely recommend them all. Thank you for supporting Hustle and Hearts, friends 🙂 

1) Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

Okay, we’re starting with my favorite drugstore beauty find: The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. And I say favorite because I really never hear anyone talk about this (and I watch A LOT of YouTube makeup channels), so I really want to give it the proper introduction it deserves. This primer is the real deal. It may be a drugstore product that gets barely any hype, but if there’s one thing on this list I suggest trying, it’s this!

I’ve used the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer (aka one of the best selling, highest priced primers out there), and I swear, this drugstore beauty find works just as good, if not better. It’s also wayyyy cheaper, and you get way more product. Use a little of this gem on your skin before makeup application, and say goodbye to your pores. Serious blurring magic right here. Not to mention, it makes your skin perfectly smooth and your makeup will just sit better on your face. I honestly use this stuff anytime I have foundation on, and recently just had to repurchase because I’m that obsessed. Can you tell?

2) Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer

Butter Bronzer

Image via @physiciansformula

Okay, apparently we’re going in order of favorites here, because I am just about to hit pan on this bad boy, and I will one hundred percent be repurchasing it. The obsession is strong. And the obsession is real. Bronzer is pretty much a product I can’t live without. Well okay, I can live without it, but I would prefer not to. With this round, pale face of mine, I need bronzer to make me less of a glowing moonlike creature. Again, I’m being dramatic, but I really do suggest anyone who loves their bronzer, get this. There’s no weird sparkle, it goes on smooth, the color is fan-freaking-tastic, and the smell…oh the smell! This stuff smells like summer in a box, and that alone is gonna get ‘ya real good.

PRO TIP: I love using this bronzer as an eyeshadow. I’ll put some on a blending brush, and then apply the bronzer all over my lid. When your lids also have the same sunkissed glow as your face, the effect is soooooo pretty.

p.s. If you’ve used the Butter Blush, let me know in the comments below! I’ve been thinking of trying it out. If it’s anything like the bronzer, I have a feeling it’s ahh-mazing!

3) Essence Pure Nude Highlighter

essence highlighter

I’m not going to talk too much about this because I actually have a whole post on my blog dedicated to it, but basically, if you want a really natural, really pretty highlight, you need this Essence highlighter.  Natural looking skin FTW.

 

4) Revlon ColorStay Brow Pencil

Revlon colorstay brow pencil
Filling in my brows is something I only really started doing about a year ago, so first a note on eyebrow care. I am not someone who draws on their brows. Like at all. In fact, I have pretty naturally full, dark brows. Even still, adding just the tiniest amount of a brow filler to my more spare areas makes a HUGE difference. These days if I makeup on, you better believe I’ve filled in my brows.

Okay, in terms of brow products, I actually have two drugstrore options I love, but I’m going to talk specifically about the Revlon Brow Pencil, because it’s the one I hear less about. I picked this little baby up right before a trip to the Dominican largely because it was waterproof. I knew the sweat, beaches, and humidity would be the real deal while on vacation, so I figured a little waterproof makeup wouldn’t hurt. But whoa, what originally was just a random purchase actually turned out to be one of my fav drugstore beauty products of all time. I absolutely love the way this product blends. Maybe it’s simply because the shade so perfectly matches my natural brows, but I always feel when I use this drugstore beauty find, my brows look so much more on point. You definitely have to make sure you blend it in, but honestly, once you do, I think you’re going to understand my love.

(my other recommendation for a drugstore beauty product for brows is the NYX Microbrow pencil, but everyone talks about this, and I actually honestly like this Revlon version better)

5) Maybelline Fit Me Powder

maybelline fit me powder

Okay, calling the Maybelline Fit Me Powder one of my fav drugstore beauty products is probably a bit of a stretch, because honestly, if there’s a day I potentially forget to powder my face, I probably won’t notice. Having said that, placing a little powder on my under eye is so engrained in my makeup routine, I rarely ever forget. Real talk, though, it’s kind of a boring product. It’s not as if you place powder on your face and feel totally glam, but it’s one of those products that I know I need, I know helps, and I know I might as well get at the drugstore. It does its job, and it does its job well. Your concealer isn’t going to budge, you won’t be a shiny mess, and it’s not obnoxiously powdery. (Note: I also have the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, and nine times out of ten, I grab my Maybelline powder over the Laura Mercier one…crazy I know, but I really don’t see a difference between the two, so I highly recommend going with this cheaper alternative)

6) Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Maybelline Fit me concealer

Image via @maybelline

Okay, the powder may not make a huge difference in my makeup routine, but boy oh boy does the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. I love, love, LOVE this concealer. For a while I had switched over to the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer, which is also a great product, but the Fit Me Concealer will probably forever be my go-to. As long as I set my concealer with the Fit Me Powder (mentioned above), I never find this concealer creases, especially if you use a makeup sponge (pro tip: you should always use a makeup sponge to blend in makeup, rather than your fingers). I also love taking this product up onto my eyelids. It brightens my whole eye and works perfectly as an eyeshadow primer.

7) NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

nyx soft matte lip cream

This NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Istanbul is pretty much my go-to lip product at the moment. Well, who am I kidding? It’s been my go-to lip product for like…a year? I love the lightweight formula of these lip creams. It’s really unlike anything else. You definitely might see some drying out of the product after some time, but honestly I only use a little, and then I’ll add lip balm to keep it moisturized. A completely matte lip isn’t really my jam, so the addition of a little moisture keeps everything in check. If I was a bigger lipstick/lipgloss kind of girl, I would most definitely have more colours in my collection, but for now I’m just sticking with Istanbul. It does its job. And it does it like a total pro.  

(I’d also like to mention the NYX Butter Gloss for anyone on the hunt for a good lipgloss. It definitely has that standard sticky feel you get from gloss, but I love the colour and the way it stays on my lips, so I forgive it)

Phew, can you tell I love me my drugstore beauty products? Seriously, it’s a slight obsession. And boy, don’t even get me started on skincare. Wait, who am I kissing? I am definitely doing a skincare post! I am all about good skincare.

Alrighty all, I think that’s all from me tonight! Time to go listen to some more Miley Cyrus (yes, that’s been my background music while working on this post, and it’s awesome. Any other Miley fans in the house?)

Oh and of course give me your drugstore beauty recommendations in the comments below. I can’t wait to try!

Keep dreaming, friends. xo

Comments

  1. YASSSSS to writing more about what you’re passionate about ! I think the beauty of having a lifestyle blog is that everyone will find something they’re more interest in – beauty, blogging, traveling etc. I can’t wait to see how you diversify!

    I’ve tried the maybelline primer and it’s amazing!! I’ve been meaning to try the Physician’s formula bronzer but haven’t had a chance.. to be honest, I have WAY too much makeup it’s embarrassing but maybe I’ll keep an eye at Shopper’s if it goes on sale hahahahah

    http://www.elleisforlove.com

    • Oh girl, defs try the bronzer. I swear, it gives the best glow. I don’t think I’ll ever use anything else ever again. I’m that into it!

  2. Girl you need to go get the butter Blush!!! It’s amazinnnng! I have to try more colors! I also can’t wait to get my hands on the new butter highlighter!!!

    • The butter highlighter looks like a literal dream. I don’t even understand it haha!

      Okay, I am officially committing to getting the butter blush on my next makeup haul. No questions asked! I’ve waited long enough lol

  3. Well, looks like I need to make a trip to Shoppers Drug Mart tomorrow!

    Love how you made sure to mention some products that aren’t talked about often. Like, how have I never heard of that primer or bronzer?! Grabbing those for sure. And maybe the eyebrow pencil too.

    And I think you should totally write more about what you’re passionate about. I love your posts about blogging but I also love reading stuff like this! 🙂

    • Yes girl, try them all! Legit when I say I use this stuff everyday, I really mean it!

      And yes, I’m so glad you enjoy reading this kind of stuff too! I was scared when I first decided I was going to diversify, but I’ve been getting great feedback, which makes me so excited! 😀

  4. Hi hello I am HERE for this!!! I had the realization recently as well that it’s high time that bloggers write about what they are passionate about. Because that passion translates into much more engaging writing! I totally felt like you were just a friend giving me advice about your fav makeup, and that’s what passionate writing is all about!

    Ok now on to the makeup: first I’ve been on the hunt for a good primer so I will def be on the lookout for the Maybelline one! And I love all Nyx products but I haven’t tried their lip creams! Do you find them drying? I’m always scared to try a fully matte lip for that reason.

    And one last question: where do you apply bronzer? That’s the one makeup item that still alludes me!

    • Ah, it makes me so happy to hear that the post came across like that for you! That is always my intention with anything I ever write. I just want it to sound like two girlfriends chatting 🙂

      Defs try the primer! As for the lip creams, they definitely CAN be drying. I wouldn’t wear them on a daily basis, but every once in a while is fun. I’m also not a huge matte lip person, so I just apply a little to the middle of my lip and then add lip balm. It makes it less intense and more moisturized

      For bronzer, everyone is a little difference, but in general the outer perimeter of your face. I primarily concentrate it into the hallows of my cheeks to give me some sense of cheekbones and then up into my temples. I’m not sure if that’s a good description, but this bronzer is so natural looking, it’s hard to go wrong!

    • Right?! Totally right there with you. I’ll try other bronzers obviously, but I’m pretty certain nothing can compare to this baby. The smell alone makes it a winner!

  5. I agree that you should be writting about whatever it is that you love. That niche thing does not go with me, I like to write whatever I feel like writting.

    That Fit Me concealer is a Gem. I’ve puechase that guy numerous times and I keep doing it and will do for ever. I love it.

    Also, try checking NYX primers. They are a bit more expensive than the one you mention but still are affordable. The #no fillter primer from NYX to blur pores is aahhh-meeeii-ziinggg .

    I loved you’re post and I think I want to write one similar. Definitely linking yours to it for others to enjoy as well.

  6. I so relate to the “finding your niche” problem. So many bloggers say the “riches is in the niches” but I agree with you – have a target audience and mission and you can write about what speaks to you/what your audience likes. I’m so glad you’re writing this post b/c you’re staying true to yourself. I’m starting up my own blog and I haven’t been able to decide on a niche. Although I have been doing better with making a really good mission statement and creating my “target reader”. I look forward to seeing more posts from you!!!

    • Thank you, Veronica! Yeah, don’t get too hung up on a niche. Even for people who do, they often end up changing their blog once they start anyway. Just focus on creating content you’re passionate about 🙂

  7. I’m a drugstore beauty fan for sure! I’ll be picking up some of the pore eraser because… pores… and also the bronzer. I love a good glow but I hate when it shimmers like I’m heading to the club instead of actually just picking up my kids at school 😉 Thanks for sharing your faves!

    • Ha! Totally with you, Samantha! That pore eraser is a true gem, and I honestly use the butter bronzer everyday. Nothing gives me a more natural glow. Glad you enjoyed them! xx

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